President Alvi underlines strong Pak-Saudi ties during visit to Madinah

President Alvi underlines strong Pak-Saudi ties during visit to Madinah
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Pakistan’s President Arif Alvi with the deputy governor of Madina, Prince Saud bin Khalid bin Faisal, at the Madinah airport. (Photo courtesy: Pakistan Embassy in Riyadh)
Updated 11 December 2018
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President Alvi underlines strong Pak-Saudi ties during visit to Madinah

President Alvi underlines strong Pak-Saudi ties during visit to Madinah
  • Marks first visit to the Kingdom after assuming office in September
  • Pakistan and Saudi Arabia enjoy close bilateral relations

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s President Arif Alvi visited the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah on Monday after performing Umrah, marking his first visit to the Kingdom since assuming office in September this year.
He was received by Saudi officials, with Saudi ambassador to Pakistan, Nawaf bin Saeed Al-Malki accompanying the president on his journey.
“He offered prayers for the prosperity and development of Pakistan and also for the Muslim Ummah,” a statement released by his office on Tuesday read.
Earlier on Sunday, President Alvi was received at the Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz International Airport by an entourage of top officials which included Prince Saud Bin Khalid Bin Faisal, deputy governor of Madinah, and Pakistan’s consul-general, Sheheryar Akbar Khan.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia enjoy close bilateral relations, with historic trade ties and religious affinity providing a strong basis of trust between the two countries. The Kingdom has always extended support for Pakistani nationals to perform Umrah and Hajj. This week, on Monday, both Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed an agreement to increase the annual Hajj quota for Pakistan in 2019.
Targeting an increase of 5,000 pilgrims next year, authorities said nearly 184,210 Pakistanis will be able to perform Hajj.
Earlier this month, the government said it has reduced the visa fee for Saudi nationals who wish to travel to the country, with an aim to increase people-to-people contact between the two countries.
In October this year, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman accepted Prime Minister Imran Khan’s proposal to reduce the visa fee for Pakistani workers which Pakistan considers as a significant step toward supporting its workforce in Saudi Arabia, as well as facilitating the travel of people between both the countries.